Brazil turned the tables, and came back from one set down to beat Iran 2-1 and qualify to the gold medal final of the Men’s Youth Beach Handball World Championship, in which they will face Croatia tomorrow (June 19).

Iran dominated the first set and led with 1-0, but Brazil, who improved their defensive performance and were more effective in attack, managed to equalize. The game was led to the shoot-out process, where the Latin American team managed to win.

Brazil – Iran 2-1 (12:18, 21:14, 8:4)

Brazil: Duarte 2, Santana Raposo, Goncalves 8, Morais, Oliveira Santana 4, Xavier 5, Lara Caetano 8, Freitas 4, Da Silva Calcanho 10, Batista Machado

Iran: Hosseini Gohari 6, Saeidi, Heidarian H., Shams Falavarjani 6, Heidarianpour 2, Heidarian A. 18, Imani Masoud, Alipour, Goldan, Enteshari Najafabadi 4

Referees: Gomer J. – Gomer M., Suspensions: 1-0 

Quotes

Nicolas De Souza Xavier (Brazil - Player)

"This is the first time we will be at the medals at the World Championship. This fact is exciting for us, as well as the chance to win the gold.

“We thank the Hellenic Handball Federation, as well as their Brazilian counterparts, because they have offered us everything.

“Tomorrow's game against Croatia is difficult, but we have been prepared and we want to win".

Mehdi Ghashghaeirad (Iran - Coach)

"I do not know what happened in the second set, or rather I know. They are still young and if they had more experience, then we should have easily prevailed. But that’s handball, that’s beach handball.

“Nevertheless, I am satisfied with my players, they played with their hearts. We have to concentrate on tomorrow's match and I hope we win the bronze medal".